Salt Water Farm MasterClass

2027 MasterClass -

Welcome to the Salt Water Farm MasterClass where students from around the country join us for an intensive week of cooking baking and eating. Together, we will tackle knife sharpening and knife skills, butchery, bread baking, pastry, seasonal ingredient selection and harvest, food storage, entertaining, floral arrangement, cooking over fire and so much more.

The MasterClasses are limited to 10 students each. We do have accommodations on the farm at our Seaside Cottage and our Antique Barn Apartment but they book quickly and far in advance. We also work with a number of nearby accommodations and are happy to make recommendations. Accommodations are not included in the cost of the MasterClass. Please email me if you have any questions.

*Schedule is subject to change

Arrival – Day 1

10am - 3pm  Morning Cooking Class and Lunch : The essentials of Modern Country Cooking and a farmhouse lunch (knife sharpening, knife skills, butchery, stock making, mortar & pestle salad dressings, egg cookery and a Salt Water Farm garden tour 

Day 2

10am – 3pm A focus on Baking and Pastry: in depth explanation of how to make sourdough, brioche, cakes and tart dough - a harvest lunch celebrating the season 

Day 3

10am – 3pm Morning Cooking Class: Seafood Cookery - 101 on the Maine lobster, shucking local oysters, shellfish cleaning and cooking, cooking white fish in cast-iron, a Maine crab salad and torched lemon meringue tart. 

Day 4

10am -3pm a Focus on Entertaining - how to gracefully host a meal for larger groups (menu preparation, tips on meal prep, timing and execution, flower arranging and table setting, cocktails 101, format - plated, family style or buffet, simple pastry doughs for sweet and savory, seasonal hors d’oeuvres and more

Day 5

10am – 3pm -Cooking Over Fire - a farewell lunch - Celebrate the art of cooking over an open fire using the freshest seasonal local ingredients from the Midcoast! In this hands-on experience, you’ll learn the core techniques of fire cooking while enjoying the vibrant flavors of the season. Max will guide you through selecting ingredients from local farmers, preparing them with care, and mastering the skills to create delicious dishes. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned cook, you’ll leave with new recipes, techniques, and a deeper appreciation for the connection between fire and food. Embrace the warmth of the fire and the joy of cooking in this unique culinary experience.